On August 28, 2025, Dr. Gradlin Roy, a 39-year-old cardiac surgeon at Saveetha Medical College Hospital in Chennai, died of a massive heart attack caused by a 100% blockage in his left main coronary artery. Despite CPR, angioplasty, and ECMO, colleagues couldn’t save him. This tragedy, reported by outlets like Times of India and shared by neurologist Dr. Sudhir Kumar on X, fits a grim pattern of young Indian doctors succumbing to sudden cardiac events. Cardiologists like Dr. Ranjan Shetty and Dr. V.V. Bashi cite rising heart issues in young Indians due to trans fats, inactivity, and ignored symptoms.
Skepticism persists
Official narratives point to grueling schedules, stress, poor sleep, unhealthy diets, and neglected health—common among medics—but whispers online question if COVID-19 vaccines played a role.
On platforms like X, where user @NOuniversityDeg asked, “Cannot suggest the COVID vaccine may have been a contributing cause?” Post-COVID, fears of vaccine-related myocarditis or clotting have fueled such speculation, especially since mRNA vaccines (not widely used in India) carry a rare myocarditis risk in young males. No evidence ties Dr. Roy’s death to vaccination—his vaccine status isn’t even reported. Still, the absence of transparent post-mortem data or vaccination history fuels doubt. Why not investigate all angles, including vaccines, given the timing post-pandemic? Lifestyle factors are undeniable, but dismissing vaccine concerns outright risks ignoring potential unknowns. Doctors deserve clarity, not just calls for exercise and sleep.
